Red-vented Bulbul

Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)

Regulatory Status: Hawaii Injurious Wildlife (HAR 124). It is prohibited to release Injurious Species into the wild; transport them to islands or locations within the State where they are not already established; and export into or out of the State.

Prevention and Control Category: None

Description

Bird with a black body, head and eyes, lighter gray underside, with patch of bright red feathers under tail

About 20 cm (8.5 in) long

Male & females look similar

The only black bird in Hawaii with a crest on its head like a cardinal’s crest

Native to Asia, from Pakistan to China, introduced to Hawaii as pets and illegally released into the wild in the mid 1950’s on Oahu.

Impacts

A major pest of agriculture and gardens. Feeds on fruits, vegetables, flower buds, and insects.

Cost $300,000 in damages to orchids per year on Oahu

Spreads the seeds of invasive plants, including miconia, ivy gourd and false kava.

Aggressively chases other birds and competes with them for food and space. There is concern that they may compete with native birds where they co-exist.

Distribution

Kauai: Not known to be present. All sightings should be reported to KISC or HDOA.

Oahu: Present in large numbers island-wide. Residents and agencies should prevent transport to neighbor islands.

Maui: Not known to be present. All sightings should be reported to MISC or DOFAW.

Big Island: Several sightings around the Mauna Lani area on the Kona side, sighting near Hilo. All sightings should be reported to BIISC or HDOA.